@usualhopeful Yeah I was confused by meets need but only 100% for in state students.
@harvardandberkeley I visited Lehigh and didn’t really like it. Thinking about NEU and Rochestor though. I don’t really know about Case Western, Syracuse, Clark, and American though.
As of now my list looks like
Georgetown(EA)- reach
Boston College(EA)- reach
Rochestor- low reach?
Richmond- high match?
Northeastern(EA)- match/high match?
Villanova(EA)- match
Penn State/Pitt/OSU- safeties
It seems like too many schools, and the essays will start adding up. Most people at my school apply to <5 schools so this definetly seems like a lot for me even though it might be normal on here. Also will apply for various scholarships at my safeties so that’s several more essays. I like having lots of decisions EA so I can (hopefully) have some acceptances in December. Too many high matches/reaches though? Villanova seems like the only school other than my safeties where I have a pretty good chance at that will be tough too especially for business. Too much risk or just right in my list right now?
Do not rely on claims to “meet need”. Try the school’s net price calculator to get an estimate for your situation.
@ucbalumnus I’ve done them for all the schools and they come out affordable. The only one that is iffy is Villanova(meets ~80% need) but if I can get one of the small merit awards of a few thousand a year then it would work too.
@class0f2017 Michigan gives all demonstrated need to in state students and gives financial aid to OOS too but it’s more 90% of what they need as they prioritize in state kids first. However the school is working to give 100% of demonstrated need to ALL students.
Also, look at the difference between need-blind and need-aware schools. Need blind schools are those that do not make an admissions decision based upon your need to pay for college. Need aware schools are those that consider how rich you are into your decision. Michigan, for example, is need blind, so you don’t have to worry about your financial situation as a factor in your decision.
@guitar321 Ok I’ll look into UMich.
Bumping for this question
Should I look at more reaches or reach even further? I know top schools also usually have the best need based aid, but I know they are long shots. So far I have focused on having strong safeties that are automatically affordable along with chances at competitive scholarships to make the offers even better. Is it better to focus on big scholarships at easier schools or try for schools with really good aid too? My reaches so far are Georgetown and BC which meet 100% of need and show good NPCs, but I have heard mixed opinions from people on their actual awards. The need based aid at my matches is probably even worse even though they all meet 100% need, they probably are expecting a higher EFC.
If you have a number of safeties you are happy to attend and can afford, then apply wherever else you want.
I think your list is fine as it is (now - finishing the thread up to now). You have safeties you like. You have others you like that you’re trying for. There really isn’t much purpose in adding others IMO, and yes, adding significantly more adds up in application costs and time for essays, etc.
@Creekland Do you think even 9 is too much? I feel like that could already add up to too many essays. I have also considered Cornell and CMU a little bit. I would only do those if I take some off of my list as of right now, but would it be wiser to stick to schools that aren’t as selective?
Stick with schools that appear to affordable. CMU is generally not in that category, but run their NPC to see what it shows for you. Cornell could be if you are in the need based aid camp - again - NPC.
Nine schools is a lot, but those who need money often apply to that many so they have more they can compare at the end. The main exception is if you have a safety that you like and know is affordable. If so, then only apply to schools you like better than it. Drop any others.
My own top stat boy had both Pitt and U Alabama as safeties - then applied to 4 more schools. He ended up at U Rochester as they appealed to him more and came in affordable. Pitt ended up as his second choice - not because it was a safety really - he liked them. The reasons URoc came out on top is because he wanted less sports and a more traditional campus (bubble) setting - and they’re really big on research schoolwide. That appealed to him tremendously after he spent the night and had a blast discussing what students were doing.
Can you visit any of your schools to see if they appeal? Visits cost money and time, so it’s understandable if not. My guy didn’t visit URoc until after he was accepted… he had visited others though.
@Creekland CMU’s NPC is a lot more general so I’m not sure how accurate it is. It comes out affordable but not as generous as the other reaches and even the match schools.
I have visited schools and something I’ve loved and mentioned before is having an actual campus but still being in or near a city. Pitt, CMU, and Georgetown were my favorites for this. I have visited Pitt, Penn State, Georgetown, George Washington, Lehigh, Bucknell, Villanova, and Carnegie Mellon.
I really liked Pitt too, not sure if being my first tour had anything to do with it. It had that defined campus I loved even though it was right in the city. Also, coming from a small city, seeing such a bustling campus(even in the summer) with so many things to on and off campus made me excited to already go LOL. Maybe I got too excited about college on my first visit and I will visit Pitt again but I loved it. The only problem is the price. It’s “doable” but the NPCs on every single match and reach school come out lower, so I’m hoping for some scholarship money. Not sure how likely that is but hoping for the best!
It sounds like you’re in PA. Our state related schools (Pitt, Penn St, Temple) are not always our best financial options… Pitt is traditionally better than Penn St though.
Pitt’s campus is not anywhere near as defined as U Rochester’s, but yes, it sure beats GW!
@Creekland True, I would not go to Pitt if it was full price as I can get better aid or merit elsewhere. Pitt has some criteria on their scholarship page which shows what recipients of merit have had in the past in terms of GPA, rigor, test scores, and rank, and I meet all of them so hopefully I can get something no matter how small. I have seen though it varies greatly even for people with similar stats so I’m applying as early as I can to maximize my chances.
I was impressed how defined Pitt’s campus was for its location. I liked Georgetown and Carnegie Mellon because of this too. GW was by far my least favorite campus visit so far, actually the only one that I flat out disliked. I have not visited Rochester, but it seems like a good fit for me and their NPC came out very affordable. I think it is a high match/low reach for me ATM too. How is your son liking Rochester? I will try to do one of those overnight stays if possible and hopefully with CMU too. Maybe it will help me cut my list a little or affirm my decision to apply.
My guy loves Rochester. He’s currently spending the summer there working on (paid) research and will start his Take 5* year next month. He has two majors and two minors, has been involved in research since freshman year, and has enjoyed dance, sign language, juggling, and Christian clubs. Dance, sign language, and juggling were all new to him in college. He’s also been a freshman RA for the past couple of years - continuing that this year - plus he has med school apps in planning on that next year (somewhere). He’s had and enjoyed an active and rewarding college experience with no regrets on his choice of destination.
To be totally honest, I’m pretty sure he’d have thrived anywhere he chose because he takes advantage of what is available to him, but URoc was his choice from among multiple schools he considered (and six he applied to). You can thrive wherever you choose as well if you do the same. Just find your fit (including affordability).
(*Take 5 is a special URoc program where students can spend a tuition free 5th year studying something totally different from their major(s) - just for the pure love of learning. It’s not a guarantee for all students. One has to be accepted into the program. It’s NOT a 5th year to complete a major.)
TCNJ is a highly ranked and nationally recognized strong business program with many ties to Wall street and banking in the NE. It is a small new England style campus and very competitive but reasonable tuition. graduates have gone onto top grad programs like Wharton, Harvard , etc, might be worth consideration. Spend your money on grad school.
@stones3 I’ve heard of TCNJ but did not know it was that good for finance in the area. Thanks for the suggestion.
Not sure if I should’ve created another thread instead but should I look into more reaches or is 2 enough? Right now all I have is Georgetown and BC and there doesn’t seem to be anymore business schools around that range of selectivity with good FA. Any suggestions there?
classof2017, TCNJ business program was just ranked #34 in the entire country (that includes privates) by Bloomberg
2016 rankings. Specifically named a top 20 by employers for most prepared new employees in the country. Also ranked #20 in the entire nation for accounting.